< Previous60 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2025 COUNTER CULTURE COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2025 61 Carol approached the project with one guiding principle: The new kitchen should look like it had always been there. She wanted brightness and function without sacrificing the home’s 19th-century character. The first item she chose was a porcelain farm sink that dic- tated the rest of the design. The couple replaced linoleum with pine flooring to match the rest of the house and commis- sioned custom cabinets. Pull-out shelving maximizes storage, including a large spice rack and a slim pantry tucked into a wall. They selected a 30-inch For- no gas stove with French doors that open sideways, perfect for the tight space. The kitchen also now accommodates a full-size refrigerator, dishwasher and even a wine cooler. Small appli- ances, including the microwave and coffee maker, are hidden behind an accordion cabinet door, keeping counters clear. To extend workspace, they added a portable island on wheels, painted black for contrast and easy mobility. A colorful rug anchors the island, while above the sink, a stained- glass window salvaged from an estate sale casts jewel tones into the room. A reconditioned brass chandelier — rewired and adorned with crystals — adds vintage charm. “We just wanted things to be as period-correct as possible, but with all the modern conve- niences, too,” Carol said. When entertaining, the Dales move into the dining room, part of the original 1850s structure. Their English oak draw leaf table comfortably seats eight beneath a new chandelier and an original plaster ceiling medallion, twin to one in the living room. The house itself has long cap- tured the community’s imagina- tion, featured on three Galves- ton Historical Foundation home tours since the 1980s. Scott has even compiled a book docu- menting its layered and many stories hidden in the walls. “It’s very intriguing,” he said. “The more you learn about this place, the more questions it raises.” CAROL’S GALVESTON REDFISH Serves: 2 For the cream sauce: ½ stick real butter ¼ cup finely chopped onion Dash of salt Black pepper (use cayenne if you like it spicy) to taste 3 tablespoons flour 2 cups half and half For the fish: 1 pound fresh redfish filet Maceo Spice & Import Co. Southern Seasoning Breadcrumbs Parmesan cheese Extra virgin olive oil Garnish: Pecan pieces Make the cream sauce first by melting butter in a medium sauce pan and sautéing onion until it’s translucent and tender. Add 2 tablespoons of flour and stir constantly to prevent any lumps or scorching. Add salt and pepper. Cook and stir for 2 minutes until mixture starts turning slightly golden brown. You might have to add more butter or flour to get it to the correct consistency. Slowly pour 1 cup half and half into butter-flour mixture and continue stirring. It will start to thicken. Add the rest of the half and half and stir constantly. The sauce will reheat and thick- en again. Set aside and cook the fish. Season both sides of redfish filet with seasoning. Sprinkle breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese on both sides to give it a little crunch. Heat skillet with extra virgin olive oil until it’s very hot and almost smoking. Place fish in pan, cover with lid and cook each side for about 2-3 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. The fish is done when you insert a fork and gently twist and it easily separates. Plate the fish and spoon cream sauce on top. Garnish with fresh pecan pieces. (Above) Carol Dale’s Galveston Redfish is a dish she loves to prepare. It’s topped with a cream sauce and pecan pieces. (Opposite, from top) Carol and Scott Dale’s compact kitchen features a rolling island and many other space-saving touches; small appliances are hidden behind an accordion cabinet door, keeping counters clear; Carol Dale pulls out a large spice rack tucked into a wall in her kitchen. When entertaining, Carol and Scott Dale move into the dining room, part of the original 1850s structure. Their English oak draw leaf table comfortably seats eight.62 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2025 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2025 63 CURRENTS | ART ‘A DRIVING FORCE’ Inspired by renowned abstract expressionists, island artist uses color to create story by LAURA PENNINO photos by STUART VILLANUEVA D owntown island shop Tangerine Boutique was a natural choice for Galveston Island West End resident and lifelong artist Dixie Messner to display her brightly colored paintings. Artist Kim Cherryhomes opened Tangerine, 2218 Postoffice St. in the island’s downtown, for “the fearless women who inspire us to not hold back.” Messner in May opened her gallery, Dixie Messner Art, at the back of Tangerine. “We share a space on Postoffice Street,” Messner said. “There seems to be a productive synergy between our two businesses.” Messner enjoys greeting potential buyers in person at Tangerine during monthly ArtWalks and by appointment, she said. Her mother, who Messner describes as a “cre- ative,” took her to art classes as a little girl, and she has been painting since. Messner majored in art at Stephen F. Austin initially, but she switched to something a little more financially productive, completing the uni- versity’s Finance Master’s Program, she said. She returned to her roots and has been paint- ing full-time as her primary business for about 15 years. “My art is a mix of abstract without subject matter and abstract with a subject,” she said. “I am drawn to create detailed paintings that are produced with acrylic paint in pens. What makes my art unique is the use of saturation that results in a colorful harmony.” Most of Messner’s paintings have energy and movement. “I’ve tried to paint in a neutral palette without much success,” she said. “It becomes very Galveston artist Dixie Messner has opened a gallery of her work at Tangerine boutique on Postoffice Street.64 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2025 CURRENTS | ART apparent to me that color is a driving force in my work.” Post-World War II abstract expression- ists Joan Mitchell, Helen Frankenthaler and Lenore “Lee” Krasner have influ- enced Messner and her work, she said. Mitchell was a pivotal figure in Abstract Expressionism. She was known for creating vibrant, large-scale abstract paintings characterized by bold colors, gestural brushstrokes and a deep connection to landscape and natural phenomena. Frankenthaler was considered one of the most influ- ential artists in the mid-20th century. Krasner was very critical of herself and was known for routinely destroy- ing her work and then reusing her older pieces to create new ones. “I find myself drawn to their personal stories and deep emotion,” Messner said. “Getting that emotion down on canvas was their gift.” Messner’s favorite artist, though, is Cy Twombly. Active during the Ab- stract Expressionism period, he was a prominent American painter, sculptor and photographer. “I love the scale and Twombly’s use of saturated colors,” Messner said. “Also, I love the free-flowing interpre- tation of what he painted.” In addition to painting, Messner enjoys photography and experiment- ing with the Adobe Photoshop editing and design app, she said. “I began to paint on my own photos,” she said. “Then, I decided to paint on canvas. First, I used oil and then acrylic. Currently, I am using acrylic paint pens.” Her paintings sell anywhere from $400 to $4,000, depending on the size. Messner also transforms old family photos into large-scale works of art, typically produced in 4-foot-by-8-foot format. Her custom stylized photographic pieces sell for $2,000 to $4,000. “My buyers are people in my Galveston community,” she said. “My family and friends have been great supporters of my work. However, I consider a piece successful when someone I don’t know buys one of them. I do a lot of commissioned work — from portraits to abstracts. My husband, Ron, of 15 years is my great- est fan. He never fails to give positive feedback on anything I am painting.” Messner has participated in three art shows in Houston over the past eight years. She’s preparing now to show her artwork during the Round Top Film Festival, which will be held Nov. 6-9 in Round Top near Brenham. A self-portrait of Galveston artist Dixie Messner rests on a tabletop in her gallery COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2025 65 • Weight Loss • Aesthetics • Testosterone Therapy • IV Therapy • Botox/Filler • Peptide Therapy Expert Care. Unmatched Results. book a free consultation 409.498.5011 2424 Mechanic St. Galveston, TX 7755066 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2025 SHIP SHAPE ALL SYSTEMS GO Why lymphatic massage is in high demand story by LAURA PENNINO E verywhere you look these days, wellness influencers are touting lymphatic massage for every- thing from weight loss to detox. But manual lymphatic mas- sage therapy isn’t some new fad; it has been around since the 1930s when Emil Vodder and his wife, Dr. Estrid Vodder, began developing a manual lymph drain- age technique after noticing swollen lymph nodes in patients with chronic colds. They introduced the method to the public in Paris in 1936, and spent the rest of their lives pro- moting the technique. But until recently, few people gave much thought to the lymphatic system, which keeps body fluid levels in balance and de- fends against infections. Lymphatic vessels, tissues, organs and glands work together to drain a watery fluid called lymph from throughout the body. Manual lymphatic massage comes into play when that drainage system gets disrupted, resulting in such conditions as lymphedema, which is characterized by painful swelling in the arms and legs and other parts of the body. Lymphedema often affects people recov- ering from surgeries that involve removal of lymph nodes or damage to lymph vessels. Common lymph system disruptors include procedures for breast, pelvic, abdominal and (Right) Lymphatic massage is a technique using gen- tle and slow hand movements to encourage the natu- ral movement of lymph fluid and reduce swelling. COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2025 67 F ree PIK68 COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2025 SHIP SHAPE other cancers, which might involve lymph node dissection or removal. Cosmetic pro- cedures such as liposuction and abdomino- plasty also can sometimes damage lymphatic channels and cause lymphedema. Other culprits include infections or injuries. But lately, celebrities such as Jennifer Anis- ton, Hailey Bieber and Kim Kardashian, who have publicly endorsed lymphatic drainage massages, credit the treatments for reducing water retention and achieving a “glowing” look, driving its popularity. Galveston-based Erin Arnett is a licensed massage therapist and Reiki master teacher who helps people to feel better and move bet- ter through the benefits of lymphatic massage, a technique used on the face or whole body to help stagnant lymph fluid drain when lymph nodes aren’t moving fluid on their own. “Lymphatic drainage is a process,” Arnett said. “Clients feel lighter and more relaxed af- ter a few sessions. Their circulation improves. Over time, they will experience a reduction in pain and balanced hormone levels. “In cases of lymphedema, stress relief will result because lymphatic drainage calms the nervous system.” While she was exploring what she wanted to do after graduating from college, Arnett decided to pursue a massage therapy certifi- cation. She completed her certification with Touchstone Healing Arts in her home state of Vermont in 2007. “After many years and hundreds of hours of learning multiple massage modalities, I followed that with over 200 hours of study in lymphatic drainage from multiple schools, including the Chikly Health Institute and Stop Chasing Pain founded by Dr. Perry Nickelston,” Arnett said. The Chikly Health Institute is a nonprofit organization devoted to education, research and therapeutic excellence by developing and delivering advanced courses for health care practitioners worldwide. Nickelston is a chiropractic physician who focuses on treating chronic pain and inflam- mation via the lymphatic and vascular system. He’s credited with creating the Big 6 Lymph Reset — a technique that helps to clear the six major areas of lymphatic congestion and helps the body to detox naturally. Nickelston’s technique focuses on mas- saging these six areas of the body in the following sequence: above and below the clavicle (collarbone), the jawline, the chest, the abdomen, the groin (crease of the hip) and behind the knees. “I tailor each session to meet my clients’ needs — whether they are preparing for surgery, recovering from surgery or an injury, or simply supporting their overall wellness goals,” Arnett said. “Manual lymphatic drain- age can ease headaches, tension, digestive issues, chronic pain, fatigue and swelling, among many other benefits.” Manual lymphatic drainage sessions are cumulative, which means that consistent treatments yield deeper results, Arnett said. She recommends her clients perform the Big 6 routine, available on YouTube, regularly and stay hydrated to aid in the detox process. Galveston massage therapist Erin Arnett helps clients feel and move better through the benefits of lym- phatic massage. COASTMONTHLY.COM | OCTOber 2025 69 In Independent Living you can be who you were meant to be.... It’s never too late to discover new hobbies, start an exercise program, and make new life-long friends. Choose The Meridian Independent Living and let us take care of the little things ~ so you can live big! Enjoy our fine dining, coffee bar, on-site library, fitness room and movie theater. Spend some quiet time in our chapel. Participate in scheduled activities. Take a walk on the beach. Your days can be filled with all of this and more! The Beach House Assisted Living & Memory Care gives the residents the support they need while they maintain their dignity and independence. On our Post-Acute Skilled Unit we provide Skilled Nursing and Therapy after a hospital stay where Medicare and Insurance will often cover your stay. We also offer Long-Term Care. At The Meridian, we are not just community... we are Family. Call us today or Book a Tour here! We can’t wait to meet you! www.themeridian-galveston.com Call today 409.763.6437 2228 Seawall Boulevard, Galveston Island, TX 77550 The Meridian is a Senior Living Community “Y o u r C o m m u n it y , Y o u r C r e d i t U n i o n ” RATESaslowas *APR is the Annual Percentage Rate. Must qualify. Other terms available. Promotion is valid Oct. 1-31. Existing loans don’t qualify for promotion.Next >